Spring 2025 – Summer 2026
Ways of Seeing is a series exploring how literature and visual art inspire one another, inviting audiences to uncover the connections between storytelling, creativity, and the many ways artists interpret the world across mediums. Over 18 months, the Library will host a series of cultural luminaries to illuminate the richness of our cultural landscape.
New Season: Fall 2025–Summer 2026
After a dazzling first season, Ways of Seeing is back for Fall 2025–Summer 2026 with a new lineup of extraordinary voices. Among them are bestselling authors R. O. Kwon and Thomas Schlesser, essayist Lilly Dancyger, curator Lynn Gumper, biographer Jean Strouse, artist Chloé Quenum, journalists Madeleine Schwartz and Alexandra Suich Bass …and more to be announced.
Community & Conversation
Each event stands on its own yet builds upon the last, deepening our collective experience. We encourage you to attend as many as you can—become a regular, continue the conversation, make new friends, and perhaps share a drink afterward!
How to Sign Up?
Register for each event separately by clicking on them below. Regular attendees of Ways of Seeing will enjoy first access to special ticketed events and other exclusive benefits.
Spring–Summer 2025
In its inaugural season, the series proved an extraordinary success, drawing audiences to hear from leading creatives at the top of their fields who brought fresh perspectives on literature, visual art, architecture, film, tech, and more. Among them:
- Maira Kalman, acclaimed artist and writer, and the Library’s Spring 2025 Cultural Fellow
- Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, and David McMahon, award-winning documentary filmmakers
- Jhumpa Lahiri, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist
- Meredith Whittaker, President of the Signal Foundation
This series is made possible by a transformative gift from the former American Center for Art and Culture, whose legacy continues to enrich our programming.
